Convertible utility sling/bag for sportsmen and others

ABSTRACT

A carrying apparatus with adjustable over the shoulder straps as well as hand-carry straps which are attached to a free-forming fabric sling platform by sewing. A pair of inverted, separating zippers are sewn along opposite edges of the sling platform to provide a simple means of converting the apparatus from a closed-end bag, to a sling with partially closed, to a fully separated end(s), to accommodate a variety of cargo shapes and sizes. When not in use, the invention can be easily folded-to about double the size of a mans&#39; large wallet and secured with its&#39; own elastic strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of filing date Mar. 21, 2003 for Provisional Patent Application No. 60/456,588. USPTO confirmation number 2380.

[0002] References Cited—U.S. patent Documents

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,025 February 1989 Bear . . . 224/202

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,902 February 1987 Doyle . . . 119/19

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,045 July 1983 Shaw et al . . . 297/118

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,850 May 1982 Robinson, Jr . . . 224/103

[0007] Field of search: 119/19; 224/202; 297/118; 224/103

[0008] Patent attorney responsible for preliminary search, (William H. Wright, Reg. #26,424).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0009] Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[0010] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIELD OF THE INVENTION. SLING/BAG.

[0012] The present invention relates to fishermen, hunters and others who must move larger fish, game or other heavy or awkward objects by personally carrying them some distance.

[0013] Often times hunters, fishermen, gardeners and even shoppers have difficulty moving their harvest great distances. This can be significant if the objects being moved have hard to control features such as flopping wings, legs, or are slippery such as a large, wet fish, which can be both difficult and cumbersome for an individual to carry.

[0014] Many times big birds, such as wild turkeys or geese are just slung over the hunters' shoulder and hand carried by holding on to the birds' legs or neck. Large fish are often carried in a similar manner over the shoulder or by dragging them with the aid of a rope passed through their mouth and out their gills.

[0015] Some backpacks and game vests with game pockets are occasionally used to carry very large birds, such as turkeys, but their overall usefulness is frequently limited by their lack of simplicity, carrying capacity or versatility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The difficulties associated with the prior art have been alleviated by the design and the devices built into the invention.

[0017] The invention disclosed herein provides both the hands-free carrying convenience of a simple, over the shoulder, open-ended sling, and, the instant convertibility to a partially closed sling, or to totally closed ends, offering the convenience of a common, open-top shopping bag.

[0018] Briefly, the main parts of the invention includes a pair of adjustable shoulder straps, a pair of non-adjustable hand straps, a fabric sling platform, and a pair of down-pull, separating zippers.

[0019] The two down-pull separating zippers, which are attached by sewing to the sling platform, are the main apparatus that make the invention uniquely different from other game, fish or utility carriers. The zipper pull-tabs can be moved in tandem or position adjusted independently, subject to the immediate need, as determined by the individual carrier.

[0020] It is the primary object of the invention to provide an apparatus and means, while allowing ones' hands the option to be free, for an individual to easily and comfortably carry game animals, large fish and other cargo.

[0021] It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that is compact, flexible and light weight, which will not significantly add to the weight burden of the object being carried.

[0022] It is also the object of the invention to be convertible, from an open ended sling to a partly closed sling, to an end-closed, open top bag, providing a free-forming apparatus capable of meeting a variety of individual carrying needs.

[0023] Another object of the invention is its compactness when stored or while carried prior to using.

[0024] Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of appealing and appropriate color, that is very simple to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0025] These and other features and novelties of the invention will be readily understood and apparent from the following descriptions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a side view showing a camouflage-dressed sportsman effortlessly carrying a large turkey in the safety of the bright orange invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of garden tools being carried in the invention with end zippers pulled down to secure cargo.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the zippers of the invention pulled completely down to enclose the sling ends, thus creating a useful carrying bag.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the invention, with all parts of the invention in view.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention when folded down to the size of a large wallet and secured with its' attached elastic strap.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a sportsman carrying a large fish in the blue colored invention, with one zipper pulled completely down at the head end of the fish and the second zipper only part way down to allow for the long length of the cargo.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing shoulder straps tucked in with cargo, hand carry straps made ready, and both zippers completely separated to accommodate the large cargo.

[0033]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of one of the 2 zippers, partially pulled down.

[0034]FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D illustrate the steps for folding the invention for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

[0035] The present invention, as depicted in the accompanying drawings, is a simple to use convertible sling/bag, created expressly to carry a wide variety of cargo, from wild game and fish to groceries and gardening tools. Its' uniqueness is found in the two (2) pull-down separating zippers which set this invention apart from all others designed for similar use. It is comprised of 16 individual parts, sewn and/or assembled together, to create the finished invention.

[0036]FIG. 1 of the drawings is an overall, side perspective view, revealing the general location of components 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and how they corresponded to one-another to create the whole of the invention.

[0037]FIG. 2 of the drawings provides a perspective view of the sling platform 1, as it is secured around some tools by partially closing down the two zippers, 8 and 7. Hand carry straps 5 and 6 show the shorter straps as an alternative means of carry.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the invention showing both zippers 8 and 7 pulled all the way down at both ends of the sling platform 1, to create a closed-end, open top, style of bag, with the two (2) long shoulder straps 4 and 3 made ready for use.

[0039]FIG. 4 provides a detailed plan view showing all of the individual parts of the invention as they relate to all of the other parts.

[0040] The sling platform 1 is in fact the sling body, made of fabric, such as Nylon Packcloth, canvas or the like, which is hemmed on all four (4) edges to prevent unraveling.

[0041] The two (2) down-pull zippers 8 and 7, are each shown separated and sewn along the two (2) opposite inside edges of the sling platform 1.

[0042] The two (2), short, hand-carrying straps 5 and 6, which are 1 inch width Nylon webbing, are centered and sewn opposite each other on the two (2) edges perpendicular to the separated zipper 8 and 7 edges, on what is the outer surface of the sling platform.

[0043] The first ends of the long, 2 inch width Nylon webbing shoulder straps 3 and 4 are sewn directly opposite each other on the outside edge of the sling platform 1, on the outer surface, and along the same edge as hand carry straps 5 and 6, in line with separated zipper 7.

[0044] The opposite, or adjustable ends of the long shoulder straps 3 and 4 are each passed through identical plastic Tri-Glides 12 and 12A, then through identical plastic Looplocks 14 and 14A, then looping back through their respective Tri-Glides 12 and 12A to provide non-slip length adjustments.

[0045] The two (2) Looplocks 14 and 14A are secured with short lengths of the same shoulder strap material as 3 and 4. After passing through the Looplocks 14 and 14A, the short length of 2 inch width strapping is looped back and sewn in the same manner and along the same edges as the first ends of straps 3 and 4, in line with separated zipper 8.

[0046] Plastic D-Ring 11 and plastic Snaphook 9 are additional amenities, free moving along straps 3 and 4, for securing or attaching other non-invention items, such as a portable seat cushion, to either of the shoulder straps 3 and 4 of the invention.

[0047] Lastly, a short length loop of ½ inch wide elastic strapping 10 is sewn to the upper, inside edge of the sling platform, adjacent to the separated zipper 7. The purpose of the elastic strapping 10 is to secure the invention after it has been folded, for storage or carrying.

[0048]FIG. 5 shows the invention completely folded to about the size of a mans' large wallet with the elastic strapping 10, holding it secure. See FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D for folding steps.

[0049]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention showing both shoulder straps 3 and 4 angling up from the front of the sling platform 1, across a sportsmans' chest, over the opposite shoulder, freeing the right hand, before passing around the head, then angling back down to the rear of the sling platform above the protruding tail of a large fish. To prevent the fish from sliding out, pull-tab 8A of the front zipper 8, is pulled all the way down, allowing the sling platform 1, to be angled slightly downward towards the mans' front. Pull-tab 7A of zipper 7 is pulled down only part way to prevent damaging the fishes tail.

[0050]FIG. 7. In this application, this illustration shows the lack of need for either of the two (2) zippers 7 and 8, of the invention. As depicted in the drawing, both zippers 7 and 8, are completely separated to allow for a larger cargo, in this case, firewood. For this type of load, the short hand-carry straps 5 and 6 may be better suited.

[0051]FIG. 8 is an enlarged, cutaway end view of the sling platform 1, showing a cutaway of shoulder straps 3 and 4 and a full view of one (1) of the two (2) pull-down separating zippers 7, as it appears when partially closed. When pull-tab 7A is pulled all the way to the top and disconnected, the two halves of the zipper 7 will separate.

[0052]FIGS. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D illustrate the simple steps to follow when folding the invention for storage, or, for convenience when carrying. First thing to do before starting to fold the invention is just the simple matter of unzipping and separating the two (2) zippers 7 and 8, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, fold all the straps, 3, 4, 5, and 6, inward, onto the sling platform 1.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, fold the sling platform 1 in half, matching the halves of separated zippers 7 and 8, and pull out elastic loop strap 10.

[0055] Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, roll-fold the sling platform in half once more, zipper 7 to zipper 7 and zipper 8 to zipper 8. This secures all the straps, 3, 4, 5 and 6, within the roll-folded sling platform 1.

[0056] Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, beginning at the end opposite the elastic loop strap 10, of the roll-folded sling platform 1, now fold the sling platform 1 towards the elastic loop strap 10. When the sling platform 1 has been folded down to the desired size, FIG. 9D, stretch the elastic loop strap 10 over the folded sling platform 1, and the invention is ready to store or carry.

[0057] From the preceding descriptions and illustrations of the preferred embodiments, it is evident that the goals of this invention have been obtained. Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that it was by way of illustration and not to be taken as limitation. 

What we claim as our invention is:
 1. A multi-use, convertible sling/bag type apparatus for sportsmen and others for the express purpose of providing an individual with a simple, convenient and inexpensive method of carrying a diverse assortment of cargo without the aid of further modifications to the apparatus, comprising: a pair of 57″ long, 2″ wide, Nylon webbing shoulder straps, each having a fixed first end, and an adjustable second end; a pair of 20″ long, 1″ wide Nylon webbing straps, with fixed ends for hand-carry; a single, sling platform, approximately 24″ square, made of a fabric such as Nylon Packcloth, canvas or the like; a pair of 10″ long,jacket weight, separating zippers; a pair of 8″ long, 2″ wide lengths of Nylon strapping, which matches the other 2″ wide lengths of shoulder strapping; one 12″ long, ½″ wide length of elastic strapping; two (2) 2″ wide plastic Looplocks; two (2) 2″ wide plastic Tri-Glides; one (1) 2″ wide plastic D-Ring; one (1) 2″ wide plastic Snaphook; which when assembled and/or sewn together, as illustrated by the enclosed drawings, will provide an individual with a means of moving cargo, either with the aid of hand-carry straps or adjustable shoulder length, over and around the head, straps.
 2. A sling type apparatus which incorporates two (2) inverted (pull-down), 10 inch long, jacket weight, separating zippers, which allows the apparatus to function as an enclosed-end bag when the pull-tabs of both zippers are drawn all the way down, or, as a sling when either or both of the zippers are adjusted up (pull-tabs raised) or separated, subject to the size and shape of the cargo to be carried.
 3. It is also claimed that the fabrics and separating zippers used in the invention are flexible enough that the apparatus can be both free-forming to the cargo being carried and easily folded to to about double the size of a man's wallet before securing with its' own elastic strap, for easy storage or carry. 